Mountain Climbing for Beginners

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

THIS BLOG IS THE FIFTH MOST READ POST ON MY SITE WITH OVER 500 VIEWS. IT'S ONE OF MY FAVOURITES AND A REMINDER OF THE GREATNESS OF GOD.

Look carefully at the image. The pale blue dot is the Earth, captured in a picture from the Voyager 1 spacecraft at a distance of 4 billion miles on February 14, 1990.

Carl Sagan was the one who pushed for the Voyager craft to take the shot, and it’s his quote that follows:

“Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam."

With thanks to Professor Brian Cox, speaking at the NAPF conference, October 2012 for pointing out the Pale Blue Dot.

Thursday, 4 January 2018

I love history and geography more than I do science. So that’s
reflected in what I watch on TV. Having said that, I found a Professor Brain
Cox programme fascinating the other day.With a touch of scientific theory, Cox investigated how
complex our bodies are. Quite amazing. What our blood does, what our lungs
accomplish. How we respond to the energy of a meal.I wont begin to try and explain it as Cox did, but I’m left
in awe of an amazing God who created us to work perfectly and in an intricate
and detailed way.One of my most popular blogs on this site is the Laminin one. I
repeat it again here, by way of example of the miracles God has performed:

I’d never heard of Laminin until the other
day, but it’s been with me all of my life. Laminin, according to Wikipedia, is
a protien molecule that ‘is capable of binding to cells, which helps anchor the
actual organs to the membrane. Laminin is vital to making sure overall body
structures hold together.’

In other words, Laminin is the vital piece in our body that holds us together.
Now have a look at the shape of Laminin:

Wow! Laminin, the essential protien that holds our body together is cross
shaped. Paul, writing to the Colossian church says this about Jesus:

‘He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by
him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were
created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.’
(Colossians 1: 15-17)

Saturday, 30 December 2017

This is not the usual short blog from me- you’re going to
need patience to read it, but there’s a REWARD if you get to the end.I don’t go in for too much reflection on these pages, but
2017 was a life-changing year, so here goes.I’m so grateful for such a wonderful wife. My youngest
daughter constantly reminds me that I managed to secure a beautiful woman- well
beyond everyone’s expectations! And to have four children and two kids-in-law,
all of whom love God is an amazing blessing. As for the two grandkids, don’t
get me started!As I REFLECT on the year, it was mixed, with doors closing
and others opening. To be dropped from the lead team for our Leicester church
was a real sadness. We remain leaders in various capacities at ‘home base’ in
Peterborough and will continue to support Leicester as much as we can.But other doors opened. Not least with the Leprosy Mission
and Mission24. To be Chair of the Leprosy Mission England & Wales is an
immense privilege. This often forgotten and still stigmatised sickness deserves
all the support we can give. And to be Team Pastor for Mission24 was one of the greatest
surprises of 2017. It matches my passions for teaching and for encouraging the
next generation. As part of this, working with Jonathan Conrathe and Carlos
Anacondia in Argentina was personally life changing. I was well and truly
REVIVED. I look forward to continuing
the work with our ten Mission24 Interns into the New Year.Book writing has come on apace. One book was published this
year and hopefully, there will be two next year. I’m mainly writing biographies and ghost
writing autobiographies. I love it! And the blogs trundle on too. I’m retired from the pensions
industry but I give some support to Pension Geeks- and for that I get the best
job title in the world: Executive Geek! The Pension blog is mainly along the
lines of pension communications. The Church History blog is very occasional,
but reflects my love for it. And this blog has now been read by over 80,000
people from its start back in December 2006. I don’t think that’s record
breaking or anything, but it seems to work. I have readers from all around the
world, including Europe, India, Africa, the America’s and even Russia and
China. (If that’s you- thank you for reading).As to next year, I look for God to continue to RENEW me. And
there’s the challenge for you too. You’ve read this far. Read on and be
RENEWED. We give New Year resolutions a hard time, but the New Year is a
watershed moment in the calendar, and we can use it as a memorable moment in
our own lives. A date we can attach to change.Here’s the REWARD for reading this far: Decide on two
things. One thing to drop for the New Year and one to start. The one you drop
doesn’t necessarily have to be something bad. It may be something that has run
its course. Something that needs REPLACING. As to the new, make it attainable –
a step at a time. Not a RESOLUTION that gets broken in the first few days of
the New Year. Small steps work. Martin Luther King said ‘Faith is taking the first step even when you
don't see the whole staircase.’Decide on those two
things. One to drop. One to start. If you’re a pray-er, pray about it. If you’re
a thinker, think about it. But make the changes. A step at a time. I pray your
REFLECTING results in REVIVAL and RENEWAL in 2018.

Thursday, 7 December 2017

Over the years, I've heard and read of so many 'God coincidences' - moments when God steps in, in an amazing and unexpected way. maybe a 'chance' meeting with someone that changes everything. Here is one from the autobiography of Johnny Cash:"I was walking down 57th
Street with June one Sunday morning when we happened on the First Baptist
Church of New York, which we hadn't noticed before because its entrance doesn't
look like a church's. We saw from a sign outside that services were just about
to start, so we went in, and the strangest thing happened. The congregation was
seated as we entered, but about halfway down the aisle a young boy was turned
around watching the door. He saw us, immediately jumped up, and yelled,
"JOHNNY CASH! Johnny Cash has come to church with me!"As it happened, the only free seats were right next to him
and his parents, so we took them, and that's when we saw that the boy was
mentally handicapped. He was so excited. "I told you!" he kept saying
to his parents. "I told you he was coming!"The preacher came over and explained to us that, yes, the
boy had told his parents, and the whole congregation, repeatedly that I was
going to walk into that church, sit down beside him, and worship with him. And
that's what I did. Being next to him was such a pleasure. He was so happy.When the service was over, we walked down to the corner
with him and his parents, and they filled in the story. They were Jewish, they
said, but their son had decided to become a Christian after listening to some
of my gospel recordings. That's why they were in a Christian church on a Sunday
morning. They were in that particularChristian church
because that's where he knew I was going to walk in the door."

Monday, 23 October 2017

Over the last few months, I
have had the privilege of interviewing three great men of God in preparation
for books to be published. I have found the experience thrilling. The way that
God has used these guys is awesome. Men of faith, ready and willing to be used
by Him; having a good effect on the world around them.

But their story is our story
too. Every one of us has a story to tell. Every one of us can have a good
effect. It may not make a book, but it makes a life – in other words, each one
of us has the ability to change the lives around us for good.

Martha
Graham says ‘There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a
quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is
only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it,
it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.’

The Bible says ‘God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of
spiritual gifts.’ (1 Peter 4: 10, NLT).

The Psalmist says we were knitted together by God, secretly and intricately
woven. (Psalm 139).

I don’t know who you are, as you read this, but God does. You are
unique. And you have a unique contribution to give. I may never read of it; I
may never see it. But God does. And your family and friends do. Don’t underestimate to good effect
that only you can have on the world around you. (Matthew 5: 16, Titus 2: 7).

Wednesday, 6 September 2017

There’s an interesting article in today’s Times (Can’t link to
it as you have to pay to see it- that’s a whole other set of thoughts!) The article
by Daniel Finkelstein notes the recent survey that indicated for the first time
that over 50% of the nation ‘has no religion’.

He points out (correctly in my view) that this may be a
reflection of someone automatically saying in the past that they were ‘C of E’
(ie they went to the local church for funerals, weddings and Christmas) and now
felt freer to say they had no firm belief.

Finkelstein goes on to point out the high level of faith
still attributed to political power- for example, of our last four Prime
Ministers, two were kids of clergymen and one a Christian socialist who read
his Bible every night. (Thus, Cameron was the exception, in case you were wondering...). And, again in the
article, they key role church and Christian charities take in our nation’s
welfare.

I’m not as pessimistic about the Christian faith in the UK
as the statistics suggest. I think it’s simply a weeding out (Biblical pun!) of
the C of E brigade. I see an increase in spiritual interest in the population.
I see many more willing to talk about faith and spiritual issues than was the
case, say, 20 years ago. I see real change happening through Alpha courses (many
at C of E churches). I see resurgence in Christianity among the denominations.
I see continued growth in the non-denominational churches. I see more in the UK
coming to a real faith in Christ than I have seen in my lifetime - this is
reflected in the numbers of responses to the work of Mission24, for example.

Monday, 14 August 2017

At the age of 17, I heard God speak to me. Your views on
this will depend on who you are and what you believe. For me it was a very real
moment- the only time (so far!) I have heard God audibly speak to me.

His words were ‘Ralph, I want you to go to India.’

I responded by trying a few Christian agencies, but nothing
materialised.

At college I met my future wife. Roh is of Indian origin. I
reasoned India had come to me – I didn’t have to go anywhere!

And then, nearly 30 years later, Roh and I are in a Christian
meeting. The leader of the meeting calls anyone to the front who has a heart
for India. We went forward, expecting to be praying for the country. The next
thing we know, someone (who doesn’t know us and is not aware of the back story)
is prophesying over us and sending us out to India!

We went there a few months later with some experienced
missionaries. I expected, because of the call in my youth, that there would be
some longer term relationships established. And that’s just what happened. The moment
I met Joel, a pastor and apostle who lives near Hyderabad, I felt God prompting
me that this was the man I would work with.

Joel and I have worked together for nearly 20 years now. Roh
and I have taken many teams. But right now we can’t.

As India celebrates 70 years of independence, it is also facing
increased persecution of Christian’s and Muslims. There is extensive violence
and a Government who appear to be turning a blind eye to it.

It is no longer safe to take teams out to help with medical camps
and children’s clubs. Hindu fundamentalists are causing widespread persecution.

Seventy years ago, India became independent. It may no
longer be the jewel in the crown of the British Empire, but it is surely still
a jewel in God’s crown:

The LORD their God
will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will
sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.’ Zechariah 9: 16.

I pray that despite the persecution, the church will stay
strong, knowing God’s care and protection.

Isaiah 25:6-9

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine – the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death for ever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’